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Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson tore ACL in Music City Bowl

Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) is put on a cart to be taken off the field after being injured in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The ugly knee injury Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson suffered in the Music City Bowl was a torn ACL.

The school announced Tuesday Thorson tore the ligament in his right knee during Friday’s game. Thorson was injured in the first half of the wacky Northwestern win and replaced by Matt Alviti.

Northwestern said Thorson would have surgery on his injured knee in mid-January.

Thorson said before the bowl game that he would return to Northwestern for his senior season in 2018. He’ll undoubtedly miss spring practices this season but could be available for the start of the season depending on his rehab schedule.

Thorson was 262-434 passing for 2,844 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2017. While his completion percentage increased, he threw fewer touchdowns and more interceptions than he did in 2016 as a sophomore.